My Writing Checklist
My Writing Checklist
- How have I made myself the hero of my writings?
- How have I made myself smarter, cooler or more “righteous” than I actually am?
- Have I thrown anyone under the bus?
- Have I been vindictive in any story, paragraph or phrase?
- In what ways have I taken a cheap shot?
- Have I killed all my beloved pets (any incongruent thoughts that I have slipped into the narrative because I LOVE it)?
- In what ways have I used dead metaphor?
- Have I risked in my imagery about God, the human experience or other?
- Did I make clichés new?
- Where have I used one sentence when I should have used two?
- Where have I used two sentences when I should have used one?
- Did I lead and finish with story?
- Narrative:
- Did I explain when I could have narrated (place all teaching within story)?
- Did I set a scene that engages the senses/imagination?
- Did I root the conflict emotionally?
- Is my “rising action” satisfying?
- Does it resolve?
Tony, this is so good. The idea of filtering and editing our work for these value-based criteria has never really occurred me. I guess I assumed that stuff would come out alright on its own. But this makes so much sense. Thanks.
Thanks for sharing! I love editing and this is a great list with some fresh ideas.
Echoing Marc, yes, indeed, a perfect tool. Thank you, sir.